World's Longest-Serving Death Row Prisoner Iwao Hakamada Declared Innocent After 46 Years

A momentous judicial ruling has brought long-awaited relief and exoneration to Iwao Hakamada, the world's longest-serving death row prisoner, who spent a staggering 46 years wrongfully convicted of a quadruple murder. The 88-year-old, after a relentless campaign for justice led by his devoted sister, was finally declared innocent by a Japanese court, marking a historic victory for truth and perseverance.

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Former boxer Hakamada expressed profound gratitude to his supporters for helping him achieve this long-awaited "complete victory." Witnesses reported an emotional gathering on Sunday in Shizuoka, where Hakamada, donning a green hat, joyfully proclaimed, "Finally I have won full and complete victory." His uninhibited happiness was palpable as he shared his relief and gratitude, alongside his 91-year-old sister, Hideko. The moment was broadcasted on Japanese television, allowing the world to witness the profound significance of this ruling

Shattering decades of anguish

Hakamada, who was wrongfully imprisoned for almost half a century, is now the fifth death row inmate in Japan's post-war history to be granted a retrial. The previous four cases also culminated in exonerations, highlighting a troubling pattern of miscarriages of justice in the country. The decades spent in solitary confinement, with the ever-present threat of execution, have undeniably taken a toll on Hakamada's mental health, with reports describing him as "living in a world of fantasy." Released in 2014 pending retrial, Hakamada has remained largely silent about his ordeal until now.

The Shizuoka District Court unequivocally condemned the prosecution's arguments, exposing the fabrication of crucial evidence against Hakamada. It revealed that his confessions, obtained through "inhumane" interrogations and torture, were rendered invalid, casting a long shadow over the integrity of the original trial. Additionally, the court deemed the blood-stained clothes used to implicate Hakamada as planted evidence, establishing a deceitful scheme orchestrated by investigators.

Financial and legal ramifications of the ruling

As the ruling inches closer to finalization, it opens the door for Hakamada to seek compensation exceeding $1.4 million under the law, according to legal estimates. Furthermore, his defense team is contemplating filing a new lawsuit against the state in light of the damning judicial findings. Lead lawyer Hideyo Ogawa emphasized the ruling's condemnation of the "concerted" effort by prosecutors and police to fabricate evidence, suggesting a strong basis for pursuing further legal action.

In a poignant moment, Hideko Hakamada recounted conveying the news of her brother's acquittal to him, recalling his silence in response. She expressed the lingering doubt her brother harbored about the veracity of the verdict, highlighting the lasting psychological impact of the wrongful imprisonment.